1. Literary Conflict

2. What is conflict??
The incompatibility between two characters or forces in a story
Creates the tension and interest in the story- WHAT WILL HAPPEN???
Can be internal or external

3. External vs. Internal External Internal
External Conflict takes place outside of the body
Internal
Internal Conflict takes place inside of the body/mind

4. External
There are a variety of examples of external conflict…but we will focus on 3

5. External
Man vs. Man
The most straightforward type of conflict pits the protagonist directly against another character with apparently opposing aims.

6. Example of Man vs. Man

7. External
Man vs. Nature
This type of conflict pits a story's main character or characters against a natural force such as a flood, predatory animal, or disease epidemic.

8. Example of Man vs. Nature

9. External Conflict Man Vs. Technology
Main character is opposed by computers, machines, some type of technology.

10. Example of Man vs. Technology

11. External Man vs. Society
In many stories, the protagonist battles an unjust element of government or culture.

12. Example of Man vs. Society

13. There is one type of internal conflict

14. Internal
Man vs. Self
Some literary conflicts take the form of a character struggling to overcome fear, addiction, emotional damage or other crippling personal issue.

15. Example of internal conflict

16. 1. Man vs. ?
A. Self B. Nature C. Society D. Man

17. 2. Man vs. ?
A. Self B. Nature C. Society D. Man

18. 3. Man vs. ?
A. Self B. Nature C. Society D. Man

19. 4. Man vs.
A. Self B. Nature C. Society D. Man

20. 5. Man vs. ?
A. Self B. Nature C. Society D. Man

21. 6. Man vs. ?
A. Self B. Nature C. Society D. Man

22. 7. Man vs. ?
A. Self B. Nature C. Society D. Man

23. 8. Man vs. ?
A. Self B. Nature C. Society D. Man

24. (news story about the Titanic)
9. Man vs. ?
“…If the ship had only taken a different path it would have avoided the icebergs. If only the guard on duty had had a pair of binoculars.”
(news story about the Titanic)
A. Self B. Nature C. Society D. Man

25. 10. Man vs. ?
Charles decided to steal a car. He was arrested and sent to jail to await his trial. He should have known better than to mess with the “rules.”
A. Self B. Nature C. Society D. Man

26. 11. Man vs. ?
“I don’t care who you talk to!” screamed Sarah to Frank. “I just wish I had never met you!”
A. Self B. Nature C. Society D. Man

27. 12. Man vs. ?
Tom began to argue with himself; should he stay at home and study, or should he go to the party?
A. Self B. Nature C. Society D. Man

28. 13. Man vs. ?
Tom began to stumble through the dark cave cutting his hands on what must have been sharp rocks.
A. Self B. Nature C. Society D. Man

29. Bob told his girlfriend, “I hope I never see you again!”
14. Man vs. ?
Bob told his girlfriend, “I hope I never see you again!”
A. Self B. Nature C. Society D. Man

30. 15. Man vs. ?
Sally didn’t care if she was the only girl on the football team. She knew convincing the school board to bend the rules would be the hardest part.
A. Self B. Nature C. Society D. Man

31. Answer Key 1. B 2. A 3. D 4. C 5. A 6. B 7. C 8 D 9. B 10. C 11.D

32. Grading Scale
-1 93
-2 86
-3 80
-4 76
-5 69
-6 63
-7 56
-8 49